My name is Ariele, and I’m a hobby potter living in Kansas, U.S. My practice takes place in the basement, my sanctuary from the weird and wild world above. In 2018, Earth & Air Studio became a placeholder for all the things I loved doing that brought me joy: capturing moments through photographs, creating perfumes, and practicing ritual. The studio space was realized in 2020, thanks to my partner, E., after we completed a renovation of our nearly 100-year-old home.

I find healing through creation and meditation. When making ceramics, I’m drawn to colors from mason stains that mirror distant planets, otherworldly glazes, and the transmutation of materials into functional ware.

Recently, I’ve taken up playing the gong and have found the abstract orchestra to be the perfect soundtrack for my work.

A woman sitting on a rug indoors, surrounded by large gongs, with one gong mounted in a wooden frame and another hanging from a stand.

All arts lie in man, though not all are apparent. Awakening brings them out. To be taught is nothing; everything is in man waiting to be awakened.

—Paracelsus

Sometimes I send out newsletters (not frequently) with my clay experiments and the places I’m drawing inspiration. Subscribers also hear about shop updates (also not frequently), or when I’m doing a show (even less frequently). Mostly this craft is fun and I’m grateful to share with dear subscribers.

Thank you!